I am not sure if my JW experiences made me strong or if it was the way I am made. If you grow up in the borg as some have called it here, they take the credit for all that is good in you. They say they instilled all that is good. But, we are born this way! How can they take credit for something inherently good in man? Isn't that to the creator's credit? After all the sun shines on the wicked as well!
I was in my early 20's when I went in to the JW org. I can say I was a shy person then. I was already strong and independent. I got that from being raised on a farm in Nova Scotia. Those relatives of mine were no slouches! They worked hard every day, there was all sorts of jobs to be done, and nothing was wasted. There were gardens and animals to tend to, equipment to keep repaired where my grandfather was a blacksmith as well, I was with him pulling on those bellows to keep the fire hot. There was always something to do to keep us alive and our needs met. I think a farm is a unique experience in teaching you how to survive. When someone got sick, even in the neighborhood (village of about 100) we brought food over and kept vigil on them. When there was a fire with someone's home destroyed, we all took them in, my grandfather dropped off milk, fresh bread and butter to the homes of those that didn't have much (it was left at the door quitely for free) the neighbors pitched in with whatever they could spare or was extra. They shared the garden abundance with neighbors, there was bartering going on all the time. We were rich in that we didn't feel alone and didn't want for much.
This is what I thought I had found with the JWs. I saw a group wanting to work together. I thought I had found that little community I had left back home. I tried real hard to instill that in the JWs I knew, I shared with them, bartered services, food, etc. But, there was no reciprocating with most. Or, they didn't understand the concept. Once in America, I was always puzzled how people could live so close together and not be 'involved' with one another. My mother always said 'don't mix with them', they aren't the same as back home'. She wanted to bring us to America to have a better life. And of course the opportunities here were the best! We had good schools, the medical attentention was the best, in Massachusetts and saw things and lived a life we would never have had back in Nova Scotia. But, you know, I have not been that kind of rich since I left that farm! We lived near the ocean so we had lots of fish and seafood as well. (I visit as much as I can).
Now, can I give JWs ALL the credit for what made me what I am today? I think not, because the GOD I knew as a child and prayed to felt like the same one I talked to when I was a JW and is the same one I talk to this day. I am just glad for the opportunity to have read the bible cover to cover 4 times in that 9 years through the meetings. It is not a mystery any more. And, I learned how to speak publicly which has helped me out in college and at work and in my life. I have learned basic human rights through those scriptures that I stand up for. I do believe in the bible and I think the stories and in the written word give us quite an example to emulate. I mean, Christians of the world seem to be peace abiding citizens, and I am glad to be part of that group, especially with all the hate that exists out there. In my studies and research over the years since I left JWs I have learned a lot about people, and their need for a spiritual side is inherent in all of us. We all look to a higher power or for 'something' to believe in. After all, how did we get here? Why are we here? On and on are questions we could all come up with to explain life here on Earth. The bible offers some kind of reasoning why we are here and until there is a better answer it seems to satisfy the masses for now.
I am grateful for the 'soapbox' you board members here have allowed me to step up on and state my opinions and beliefs. Thank you again.
out of the box
